The 71-year-old had been on a six-month self-imposed media blackout, but just four weeks in, has hit out at the Italian Coach for his treatment of former Rosanero player Javier Pastore, who joined the Ligue 1 side last summer.

“Pastore is not a flop,” he told Calcissimo.com. “Pastore is a phenomenon. Ancelotti does not understand anything about football. I'm glad they lost [1-0 to Porto] in the Champions League, and hopefully he'll learn not to play Nene in front of Pastore.

“I appreciate that it is not just the Coach's fault though. Let's not forget that Ibrahimovic is a real grind in the dressing room. He demolished Inter, Juve and Milan, and at PSG he is doing the same.

“Pastore is still 23, and has just found himself amongst the wrong people. He is still a phenomenon.”

He also commented on Gian Piero Gasperini, the new Coach who was brought into the Sicilian club after just two games at the start of the season.

“Gasperini is doing a great job,” he said. “But I always knew that the team was there. I've always said that. He is a great Coach, and the results are beginning to come.”